Switch.



J. A. PARSONS.

SWITCH. APPLICATION FILED APR.26, 1915.

1 ,206, 1 36. Patented Nov. 28, 1916.

3 SHEETSSHEET I- Ei'muamliO c 5? 62 Parana, aw/{memes J. A. PARSONS.

SWITCH. APPLICATION FILED APR.26, I915- Patented N W. 28, 1916.

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-44" swig Sumo a llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll J. A. PARSONS.

SWITCH. APPLICATION FILED APR.26. 1915.

1 ,206, l 36. Patented Nov. 28, 1916.

3 SHEETSSHEET 3.

Ac/ I I'IMI'I Q- UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN ,AIQLEN PARSONS, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

SWITCH.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN A. PARSONS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvama, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Switches, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in switches, and more particularly to an improved inclosed fuse switch which is so constructed that the box cannot be opened until the electric circuit is broken, and hence any possibility of accident due to electric shock is entirely overcome.

A further object is to provide a switch of the character stated which can be readily operated from outside the box, but when necessary to replace a fuse, the box cannot be opened without first breaking the electric circuit so that there is no danger whatever to the operator in replacing the fuse.

A further object is to provide a switch of the character stated which can be manufactured and sold at an extremely low price, and which will properly perform the function for which it is intended.

\Vith these and other objects in view, the invention consists in certain novel features of construction and combinations and arrangements of parts as will be more fully hereinafter, described and pointed out in the claims. I

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a plan view illustrating my-improved switch in normal position. Fig. 2 is a plan view partly in section showing the switch in its open position. Fig. 3 is a view in longitudinal section showing the switch in its closed position. Fig. l is a view in longitudinal section on the line l4: of Fig.3. Fig. 5 is a view in longitudinal section on the line- 55 of Fig. -1. Fig. 6 is an inverted plan view of the movableswitch member, and Fig. 7 is a view in horizontal section on the line 7-7 of Fig. 5.

1 represents a base plate constituting the bottom of a box, and 2 is a cover hinged to the box at one end as shown at 4, and at its other end provided with a hasp 5 engaging over a staple 6 and secured by a pad lock 7 While I have indicated this particular form of lock, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in this particular, as I may look the box in any way desired.

The base plate 1 supports the stationary Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed April 26, 1915. Serial No. 23,907.

member 8 of my improved switch. This member 8 consists of a block of non-conducting material having stationary contacts 9 thereon constituting terminals of the electric system, and I have made no attempt to indicate the manner of connecting the wires to these contacts as that can be done in any way desired.

10 represents the movable switch member which consists of a plurality of blocks 11 connected by a yoke 12 at one end, and by a metal strap 13 at the bottom, although any other form of block connecting means may be used to secure together the severalunits of the movable member. The movable member 10 is provided with longitudinal openings 14, receiving parallel rods 15 and sliding on the rods. The rods 15 are secured at their ends to the ends of the box 2, and

coiled springs 16 are located on the rods and exert a pressure against the movable member tending to movev it in a direction to open or break the electric circuit. The movable member 10 is provided at one end with spring contacts 17 adapted to engage two of the stationary contacts 9, and other spring contacts 18 are located in recesses 19 in the bottom of the movable member 10 and are adapted to engage the other stationary contacts 9. In other words, the movable member is recessed as shown at 19 to allow the same to move and position the contacts 18 either in or out of engagement with the contacts 9, and when all of the contacts are together, the circuit is closed as will be understood. The contacts 17 and 18 are connected by removable fuses 20 which are supported in spring clamps 21 connected electrically with the contacts 17 and 18, and these fuses can be readily replaced as occasion may require.

22 represents a shaft which is supported in the cover 3, and at its inner end 15 provided with a crank arm 23 having a crank pin 24 at one end engaging in the yoke 12 and adapted to move the movable member 10 when the crank shaft 12 is turned.

A crank handle 25 is secured to the outer end of the shaft 22, and this crank handle 25 and the crank arm 23 are located at a slight angle to each other as shown clearly in Fig. 1, so that when the movable member is in its circuit closing position, the crank handle 25 will be located centrally of the box, while the crank arm 23 will be moved beyond the center at its free nd,

and the movable member 10 is securel held in its circuit closing position. When 111 this position, a laterally projecting finger 26 on crank arm 23 engages under a lug 27 on the end of box 2, and prevents any possibility of the box cover being opened, while the movable member 10 is in its circuit closing position. In other words, in order to open the cover it is necessary. first to turn the crank handle to a position to open the circuit, this position being shown clearly in Fig. 2. When in such position, the cover can be safely. opened as the circuit is broken, and the fuses can be readily replaced without danger.

While I refer to the part 12 as a yoke because it operates as a coupling means between the crank pin 24. and the movable member 10, I would have it understood that the invention is not limited in this particular as I may employ any form 'of construction which will compel themovable member to -move by the turning movement of the crank shaft 22, and as the springs 16 move the member 10 to its circuit breaking position, the crank arm is only needed for moving the member against the tension of the springs, but for safety sake I have shown the parts so coupled that a positive movement is given the block in both directions to compel the same to move even though the parts may stick.

On the cover 3, I locate a post 28 which I limits the turning movement of the crank handle 25 in one direction, the movement in the other direction being limited by the contacts as they come together.

'lVhile I have illustrated my improved switch box as having two pairs of contacts and two blocks supporting the movable contacts, I would have it understood that my invention is not limited to the number of contacts, nor to the number of blocks as this may be varied to suit conditions, nor do I limit myself to the precise details set forth, but consider myself at-liberty to make such changes and alterations as fairly fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an electric switch, the combination with a box, a movable cover on the box, a

stationary switch member in the box, a movable switch member in the box, contacts on said switch members, a shaft projecting through the cover, a crank arm on the shaft,

with a box, a movable cover on the box, a

stationary switch member in the box, a movable switch member in the box, contacts on said switch members, a shaft projecting through the cover, a crank arm on the shaft having a portion engaging the movable member, a crank handle on the shaft outside of the box, a lug in the box, and a finger secured to the crank arm and located under the lug when the crank arm is in a position to move the contacts together, whereby the cover is locked in closed position, substantially as described.

3. In an electric switch, the combination with a box,'a movable cover on the box, a stationary switch member in the box, a movable switch member in the box, cont-acts on said switch members, a shaft projecting through the cover, a crank arm on the shaft engaging the movable member, a lug on said box, a crank handle on the shaft outside of the box, means on the shaft for engagement with the lug to lock the cover in closed position when the shaft is turned to a position to move the contacts together, elastic means crank armoand crank handle located at an angle to each other, substantially as described.

. 4. In an electric switch, the combination with a box, a movable cover on the box, a stationary switch member in the box, a movable switch member in the box, contacts on said switch members, a shaft supported in the cover, a crank arm on the shaft engaging the movable member, a crank handle on the shaft outside of the box, a lug in the box, a finger secured to the crank arm and located under the lug when the crank arm is in a position to move the contacts together, whereby 'the cover is locked in closed position, elastic means exerting pressure on the movable member tending to separate the contacts, and said crank arm and crank han dle located at an angle to each other, substantially as described.

5. In an electric switch, the combination having contacts-thereon, rods supported in the box, a movable member mounted to slide on the rods and supported by the box, contacts on the movable member, springs on the rods exerting pressure on the movable member tending to hold the contacts of the two members apart, a cover on the box movable independently of said stationary and movable members, and a crank shaft projecting through the cover and movable therewith, a crank arm secured to said shaft for moving the movable member into position to bring the contacts together, substantially as described.

6. In an electric switch, the combination with a box, a stationary member in the box having contacts thereon, rods supported in the box, a movable member mounted to slide on the rods and supported by the box, contacts on the movable member, springs on the rods exerting pressure on the movable member tending to hold the contacts of the two members apart, a eover'on the box movable independently of said stationary and movable members, a shaft projecting through the cover and movable therewith, a crank arm on the shaft engaging the movable member when the cover is closed, and a crank handle on the shaft outside of the box, substantially as described.

7. In an electric switch, the combination with a box, a stationary member in the box having contacts thereon, rods supported in the box, a movable member mounted to slide on the rods, contacts on the movable member, springs on the rods exerting pressure on the movable member tending to hold the contacts of the two members apart, a cover on the box, a yoke on the movable member, a crank shaft supported in the cover, a crank arm on the shaft, a crank pin on the crank arm engaging in the yoke, and means on the outside of the cover for turning the crank shaft, substantially as described.

8. In an electric switch, the combination with a box, a stationary member in the box having contacts thereon, rods supported in the box, a movable member mounted to slide on the rods, contacts on the movable member, springs on the rods exerting pressure on the movable member tending tohold the contacts of the two members apart, a cover on the box, a yoke on the movable member, a crank shaft supported in the cover, a crank arm on the shaft, a crank pin on the crank arm engaging in the yoke, and a crank handle outside of the cover secured to the crank shaft and located at an angle to the crank arm, substantially as described.

9. In an electric switch, the combination with a box, a stationary member in the box having contacts thereon, rods supported in the box, a movable member mounted to slide on the rods, contacts on the movable member, springs on the rods exerting pressure on the movable member tending to hold the contacts of the two members apart, a cover on the box, a shaft supported in the cover, a crank arm on the shaft having a crank pin engaging the movable member, a crank handle on the shaft outside of the box, a lug in the box, and a finger on" the crank arm engaging under the lug securing the cover in closed position when the crank arm is in position to maintain the contacts together, substantially as described.

10. In an electric switch, the combination with a box, a stationary member in the box having contacts thereon, rods supported in the box, a movable member mounted to slide on the rods, contacts on the movable member, springs on the rods exerting pressure on the movable member tending to hold the contacts of the two members apart, a cover on the box, a yoke on the movable member, a crank shaft supported in the cover, a crank arm on the shaft, a crank pin on the crank arm engaging in the yoke, means on the outside of the cover for turning the crank shaft, a lug in the box, and a finger on the crank arm engaging under the lug securing the cover in closed position when the crank arm is in position to maintain the contacts together, substantially as described.

11. In an electric switch, the combination with a box, a stationary member in the box having contacts thereon, rods supported in the box, a movable member mounted to slide on the rods, contacts on the movable member, springs on the rods exerting pressure on the movable member tending to hold the contacts of the two members apart, a cover on the box, a yoke on the movable member, a crank shaft supported in the cover, a crank arm on the shaft, a crank pin on the crank arm engaging in the yoke, a crank handle outside of the cover secured to the crank shaft and located at an angle to the crank arm, a lug in the box, and a finger on the crank arm engaging under the lug securing the cover in closed position when the crank arm is in position to maintain the contacts together, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOHN ALLEN PARSONS.

Witnesses:

SAMUEL LIPMAN, (Jr-ms. E. Forms. 

